Usage guide for cold- and heat-effect sports creams for athletes:
Physical therapies refer to all treatments that use physical means such as radiation, heat, cold, etc… In physiotherapy we use these therapies to optimize the body's regeneration processes and help the organism maintain its homeostasis or balance.
An example is the use of ice in the initial moments after a contusion or sprain, or heat for overloads, muscle contractures, or certain joint problems.
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These processes are equally relevant in the preventive field. Within this framework, cold-effect sports creams and heat-effect sports creams are very useful. Below I set out the benefits and application of each of them:
Cold Effect Sports Cream:
Physical principle : Cold
Properties: The cold-effect cream IS Cooling (temperature reduction), analgesic and soothing (pain relief).
Use: After exercise. Post-workout creams
Highly indicated in strength sports, and/or high intensity since the stress generated by training can cause transient inflammations at the tendinous – articular level or post-exercise muscle discomfort. Sports such as CrossFit, bodybuilding at the level of hypertrophy or strength-power, martial arts and contact sports, running or swimming of high intensity, mountain biking, tennis, ball sports, among others...
After day-to-day training and in competition (between heats and at the end of the day). It is a relax gel that will act as a natural muscle-relaxing cream, that is, a cold gel to deflate the musculature punished by training.
Application: This sports muscle cream is applied over the “target” area, using the post-workout creams generously and performing a light massage until fully absorbed.
For example: after an intense combined Strength workout or CrossFit session we would apply the cold-effect cream to the shoulders-elbows, lumbar area, thighs and knees.
It may be useful, as a complement to the use of these muscle creams, to perform passive stretches without forcing the stretch limit or myofascial massage with complementary material ( roller, balls…)
Heat Effect Cream:
Physical principle : Heat
Properties: Heat-effect creams provide a temperature increase, acting as a vasodilator (increased blood flow).
Use: Before exercise, they are pre-workout creams or creams to warm up muscles.
Highly indicated as a complement to the warm-up to increase the local temperature and focused on the area of application. It is a sports gel that provides a heat effect. It should be applied to the “target” areas depending on the sport or activity.
Application: Apply the heat-effect gel to the “target” area generously, performing a vigorous massage until fully absorbed. Activation techniques can be applied as a complement, such as pats or clapping.
Some practical examples:
- A triathlete could apply this muscle heat cream to the shoulders, lumbar area, anterior pelvis and legs in general.
- A crossfitter in general can benefit from the heat-effect muscle cream by applying it to forearms, shoulders-elbows, lumbar area, thighs and knees.
- If it is a runner the application of the warming cream is interesting from the malleolar area at the ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips and lumbar area.
- A padel player will apply the warming gel to wrists, forearms, epicondylar and epitrochlear areas ( elbow ), shoulders, lumbar area, knees and ankles.
It can also be used as a muscle-warming cream in football, cycling, basketball, tennis or skating to name a few more examples.
Also, by combining both muscle creams you could create a cold heat effect that in some situations may work very well for you.
Have you ever used sports creams with cold and heat? Tell us about your experience with your muscle-relaxing cream?
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